John Rawls and unequivocal justice

Curious about how free markets and social justice intersect? Join us for an engaging lecture by Christopher Freiman, author of the book Unequivocal Justice. Freiman offers a rethinking of the political theory of John Rawls and challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding liberal egalitarianism and free-market regimes.

Freiman’s work highlights the importance of non-ideal theory, focusing on the real-world applications of political principles rather than abstract ideals. He argues that traditional Rawlsian liberalism does not consistently apply its idealising assumptions across its theory. By examining political liberty, economic sufficiency, fair opportunity, and social equality under realistic conditions, Freiman provides a fresh perspective on achieving justice in an imperfect world. This lecture is essential for anyone interested in the practical implications of political theory and the pursuit of social justice.

Meet our speakers and chair

Christopher Freiman (@cafreiman) is a professor of general business at West Virginia University. He is a graduate of Duke University and the University of Arizona. He is the author of Unequivocal Justice and Why It’s OK to Ignore Politics as well as numerous articles and book chapters. Professor Freiman's research interests include democratic theory, distributive justice, and immigration.

Paola Romero is a political philosopher specialising on Kant, in the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method at LSE.

Bryan Cheang (@bryancheang_) is the Co-Director of the LSE Hayek Program and a STICERD Fellow.

More about this event

Modern economic thinking needs to reaffirm and engage with sound Hayekian ideas in this age of global interconnectedness, when the world is coming to grips with multitude of challenges, including global pandemic, climate change, social inequities and inequalities, and politico-media complex. This can only be achieved through fostering dialogue among stakeholders, which include researchers, policymakers, experts, and key decision-makers. The Hayek Programme in Economics and Liberal Political Economy at LSE (@STICERD_LSE) provides a space where this dialogue can happen. This programme aims to contribute to the research and public debate suited to the demands of 21st century.

Join us on campus or register to watch the event online at LSE Live. LSE Live is the home for our live streams, allowing you to tune in and join the global debate at LSE, wherever you are in the world. If you can't attend live, a video will be made available shortly afterwards on LSE's YouTube channel.

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